Tobacco-moistening device



(No Model.)

G. M. SHERMAN. TOBAGGO MOISTENING DEVIGB.

No. 469,001. Patented Feb. 16,1892.

/ MAW/MIMI UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GARDNER M. SHERMAN, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

TOBACCO MOISTENING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 4=69,001, dated February 16, 1892. Appli ation filed February 16, 1891. seam No. 381,631... (No model.)

absorbent material for holding the water or v To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GARDNER M. SHERMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of I-Iampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Moistening Devices for Cigar and Tobacco Receptacles, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide for boxes, cases, or other inclosures for cigars or tobacco or products thereof means for maintaining the cigars or tobacco, &c., in a suitably moist condition.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts, substantially as will hereinafter more fully appear, and be set forth in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of this invention are shown, Figure 1 is a central vertical section of a jar or case for'cigars equipped with moistening devices. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the under side of the cover of the jar or case. Fig. 3 is an under side view of a cast or absorbent body employed. Fig. 4 is a perspective view in detail of a part of the register hereinafter more particularly referred to.

In the drawings, A represents a receptacle for cigars, preferably, as shown, in the form of a jar having a screw-threaded neck, with whichengages the cap a.

B represents the supplemental chamber for containing the absorbent material, and it is shown as at the top of the receptacle A, such location being deemed much the preferable one.

d represents a port or opening, which leads through the stock or material which constitutes the partition between the supplemental chamber B and the interior of the main receptacle A, one or more of said openings cl being provided, as the judgment of the constructor may dictate.

D represents a register having therein one or more ports or openings f, and said register is supported on the part of the apparatus which constitutes the partition between the main and supplemental chambers and is movable, so that the port or ports thereof may be brought into or carried out of coincidence with the said apertures (Z.

G represents a suitable body or portion of other moistening-liquid employed. This absorbent body usually consists of a plaster cast, although asbestus, sponge, or vegetable matter may be made use of as the moisture absorbent, and so far as certain features of the invention are concerned they are not in any manner to be limited to an absorbent body, for the supplemental chamber B may of itself be constituted to contain water or other moistening-liquid or'to receive and inclose an independent holder therefor. Of course, however, an absorbent material substantially as described is much to be preferred, for the reason that a maximum moistening-surface and freer circulation are insured. The supplemental chamber is preferably in the form of a cylindrical casing of thin metal and is secured to the cover of themain receptacle A in any efficient manner, as by riveting or by soldering, screw-engaging, or otherwise connecting. The supplemental chamber is shown as located above the cover and outside of the cigar case or box as the preferred location therefor.

As shown in the drawings, the supplemental chamber and absorbent-receptacle B is constituted by the cup-like part 10, having the bottom closed with the exception of the ports d and by its bottom riveted to the spun metallic screw-cap of the jar-cap a. Said cup part 10 is open at its top and receives .the struck-up metal cover 12, whereby to insert the moistened cast or absorbent G or to remove the same for the reinoistening thereof.

The register D (here shown, and particularly in perspective in Fig. 4) consists of the disk 14, adapted to lie, closely under the under and inner sides of the jar-cap a,being held to confinement thereat and so that it may rotate by the stud 15, which passes through the jarcap ct and the bottom of the cup 10, being riveted 'or upset at its extremity. This register is provided with a knurled thumb-knob 16, whereby to conveniently turn the said reg ister into and out of coincidence with the ports (1, which may be desired for insuring a greater or less freedom of the circulation of the moisture down and into the jar, such regulation being accomplished, as will be entirely apparent, on the removal of the cap.

The cast is preferably, and substantially as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, recessed or apertured, so as to leave increased moisten-ing-surface and to insure an efficient circulation within the supplemental chamber, it being noted especially that the recessed portion of the cast is that which is adjacent the ports or passages leading from the one chamber to' the other. The absorbent body contained in the supplemental chamber maybe saturated with a flavoring or odorizing liquid or material, so that the cigars may be correspondingly scented or flavored.

In Fig. 1 is shown an'upturned'lip u in the bottom of the chamber vB, surrounding the ports d (1, so that water which may settle from the absorbent will be prevented from falling in substantial quantities into the cigar-holding-chamber.

What I claim as vmy invention is 1. The combination, with the receptacle for tobacco or cigars, of a supplemental chamber having perforations communicating with said receptacle, an upturned lip, as u, in the bottom of said chamber, and an absorbent material in said chamber, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with a receptacle or .jar and a cap a for closing the same, having 

